1
as in cunning
clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means
the movie pairs a sly, dissembling ex-con with an upstanding, straight-arrow cop
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shady
given to acting in secret and to concealing one's intentions
why, you sly fellow! I had no idea you were planning my birthday party a sly undercover police officer
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in mischievous
tending to or exhibiting reckless playfulness
a sly sense of humor
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sly
Instead, Navarrette explained, the One Wish Willow company’s name — TABI Cat Curiosities — is a sly reference to the YouTube comedy series Curry Barker created with Cooper Tomlinson in 2020.
—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Garcia sets this all up in a sly way, without overstating it.
—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
21 May 2026
Davis occasionally destabilizes this very familiar soundtrack with sly production tricks from Horne.
—
Emma Madden,
Pitchfork,
28 Apr. 2026
Elsewhere, Brad Oscar’s Mayor Menlove — memorably played on the series by Alan Cumming — brings warmth and sly humor to the role, while Ann Harada smoothly reprises her TV performance as Florence Menlove.
—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sly
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Garcia sets this all up in a sly way, without overstating it.
—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
21 May 2026
Davis occasionally destabilizes this very familiar soundtrack with sly production tricks from Horne.
—
Emma Madden,
Pitchfork,
28 Apr. 2026
Elsewhere, Brad Oscar’s Mayor Menlove — memorably played on the series by Alan Cumming — brings warmth and sly humor to the role, while Ann Harada smoothly reprises her TV performance as Florence Menlove.
—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sly
Adjective
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Daemon is one of the most clever, cunning and conniving characters in House of the Dragon, who always seems to have the upper hand.
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Under this light, Penelope emerges as exemplary, cunning, wounded, and trapped by the male order that praises her.
Adjective
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The Italian-style grotto is a shady spot to visit on sunny days, with trees sheltering the pool and fountain.
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This woodland native grows in USDA Zones 6-9 and is best suited to shadier areas of the landscape.
Adjective
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In House of the Dragon’s season 2 premiere, Aegon II brought him to a meeting where Jaehaerys II was mischievous and bored.
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The show features a wide cast of colorful characters, namely Ginger’s mother Lois (Laraine Newman), her quirky friends Dodie (Aspen Vincent) and Macie (Jackie Harris Greenberg), and her mischievous little brother Carl (Jeannie Elias).
Adjective
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Serve this sweet-and-spicy salad with your favorite cute cocktail picks for a fresh-and-fun summer appetizer.
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Baby raccoons, for example, are very cute, but their mother may have made a den in the attic, crawl space, or shed, which can be bad for them and for the homeowner.
Adjective
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Bunting and Matthews had sneaky-good chemistry on the ice and off it.
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Especially when the discounts in the sneaky Designer Outlet are this good.
Adjective
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But even the most perfect Constitution can be undone by the wicked with the help of the bought, the stupid, and the cowardly.
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Because my gut feeling tells me another round of wicked winds this way comes.
Adjective
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Available in a style with the same stripes that Paltrow favors, the top offers a subtle pattern that’ll make your outfit pop.
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The square neckline adds a flattering, feminine touch, while the subtle volume in the sleeves gives it a slightly dressier feel than your average tee.
Adjective
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Of course, the modern, rapidly changing technological means of war, being vastly more versatile, fast, furtive, precise, numerous, farther reaching and lethal, will necessitate revisiting the principles of just wars.
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In Obeid, capital of North Kordofan, near-daily drone barrages have imposed a furtive rhythm to residents’ lives, making every trip to the market, school, health clinic or a relative’s home a gamble.
Cite this Entry
“Sly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sly. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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